photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Mansions, Estates, Gardens, Churches, Zoos and Museums in the U.S. >> Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY (June 2009) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY (June 2009)

Old Westbury Gardens, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located in Old Westury on Long Island in New York. It is the magnificent “Gilded Age” estate of John (“Jay”) Shaffer Phipps (1874-1958) who was the son and heir to the steel fortune of Pittsburgh steel magnate, Henry Phipps. The Charles II-style, 40-room mansion, called “Westbury House,” was designed by the English designer, George A. Crawley, and was built between 1903-1906. The estate, which compromises over 200 acres, was designed to resemble the English the family estate (in Battle Abbey) of his English fiancée, Margarita Grace. The grounds contain formal landscaped gardens, woodlands, ponds and lakes. It is considered to be one of the finest English Gardens in the United States. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques, family pictures and mementos and artwork, including paintings by the artists, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough and John Singer Sargent. Some of the most notable features of the estate are the magnificent "walled in garden," a man-made goose lake, a formal rose garden surrounding a polyhedral sundial (in the shape of an octagon) and a lake with a gazebo next to it called the "temple of love". Jay and Margarita lived in the house for 50 years, from 1906 to 1956, and raised their 4 children there. Some well-known movies have been shot at Old Westbury Gardens including North by Northwest, and Love Story, as well as many others. Old Westbury Gardens is a great escape from life’s stresses and is well worth visiting, especially when the gardens are in bloom.
Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY cover page.
Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY cover page.
Map showing Old Westbury, which is located on Long Island in New York.
Map showing Old Westbury, which is located on Long Island in New York.
Photo of Henry Phipps (1839-1930), the Pittsburgh steel magnate and partner of Andrew Carnegie, who made the family fortune.
Photo of Henry Phipps (1839-1930), the Pittsburgh steel magnate and partner of Andrew Carnegie, who made the family fortune.
View of the Charles II-style mansion, called “Westbury House.
View of the Charles II-style mansion, called “Westbury House."
Close-up of Westbury House, which was designed by the Englishman, George A. Crawley, and was built between 1903-1906.
Close-up of Westbury House, which was designed by the Englishman, George A. Crawley, and was built between 1903-1906.
The decorative entrance at the front northern façade of Westbury House.
The decorative entrance at the front northern façade of Westbury House.
Close-up of the details over the door.
Close-up of the details over the door.
The man-made goose lake at Westbury Gardens.
The man-made goose lake at Westbury Gardens.
Geese congregating next to the goose lake.
Geese congregating next to the goose lake.
Close-up of two geese.
Close-up of two geese.
As I was walking down the garden path, these geese were running away from me!
As I was walking down the garden path, these geese were running away from me!
Interior of the magnificent walled in garden.
Interior of the magnificent "walled in garden."
Approaching a small fountain in the middle of the walled in garden.
Approaching a small fountain in the middle of the walled in garden.
Lotus pond in the walled in garden. The gardens were designed like those of an English estate for Jay Phipps' English fiancée.
Lotus pond in the walled in garden. The gardens were designed like those of an English estate for Jay Phipps' English fiancée.
Orange carp swimming in the lotus pond.
Orange carp swimming in the lotus pond.
Fountain spewing water in the lotus pond with water lilies.
Fountain spewing water in the lotus pond with water lilies.
Close-up of water lilies.
Close-up of water lilies.
Beautiful white daylilies that were blooming in the walled in garden.
Beautiful white daylilies that were blooming in the walled in garden.
View of the gate as we left the walled in garden.
View of the gate as we left the walled in garden.
Sculptural details on top of the garden gate.
Sculptural details on top of the garden gate.
The formal rose garden surrounding a polyhedral sundial.
The formal rose garden surrounding a polyhedral sundial.
On top of the sundial stands this majestic lion.
On top of the sundial stands this majestic lion.
Close-up of the lion with roses blooming in the background.
Close-up of the lion with roses blooming in the background.
Southwest view of the back of Westbury House with the West Porch on the left.
Southwest view of the back of Westbury House with the West Porch on the left.
The English designer, George A. Crawley made double doors on the south colonnade leading to the ballroom.
The English designer, George A. Crawley made double doors on the south colonnade leading to the ballroom.
One of 18th century sphinxes at the south terrace, which appear to be protecting the mansion.
One of 18th century sphinxes at the south terrace, which appear to be protecting the mansion.
The lawn and the south allee at the back of the property seem to go on forever.
The lawn and the south allee at the back of the property seem to go on forever.
View from the lawn of the back of Westbury House.
View from the lawn of the back of Westbury House.
Close-up of the classical sculpture in the niche below the south terrace.
Close-up of the classical sculpture in the niche below the south terrace.
One of several beautiful planters at Westbury Gardens.
One of several beautiful planters at Westbury Gardens.
A southeast view of Westbury House.
A southeast view of Westbury House.
Sign for the Temple of Love at Westbury Gardens.
Sign for the Temple of Love at Westbury Gardens.
A couple getting their wedding pictures taken at the Temple of Love.
A couple getting their wedding pictures taken at the Temple of Love.
The Temple of Love is located in the woodlands at the far end of East Lake.
The Temple of Love is located in the woodlands at the far end of East Lake.
Close-up of the wedding couple.
Close-up of the wedding couple.
View of the East Lake Bridge, which is near the Temple of Love.
View of the East Lake Bridge, which is near the Temple of Love.
A statue located on the near side of East Lake.
A statue located on the near side of East Lake.
The statue is of two children and a swan.
The statue is of two children and a swan.
Between the house and the East Lake is a swimming pool.  It looked very inviting since I was there in June.
Between the house and the East Lake is a swimming pool. It looked very inviting since I was there in June.